A court in Pakistan has sentenced a 22-year-old man to death for the murder of teenage TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf after she repeatedly rejected his advances.
The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by a judge in Islamabad, who also imposed a fine of $7,200 on the convict, Umar Hayat.
Speaking after the judgment, Yousaf’s father described the ruling as a warning against violence targeting women.
“This verdict is a lesson for anyone who commits such acts, showing that they should never be repeated,” he told journalists outside the courtroom alongside the victim’s mother.
According to investigators, Hayat shot the 17-year-old social media personality at her home in Islamabad in June last year after she repeatedly rejected him.
Yousaf, who had millions of followers across social media platforms, was known for posting videos on food, fashion and skincare. She also openly discussed relationship issues, a subject still considered sensitive in the conservative Muslim-majority country.
Her killing sparked nationwide outrage and renewed debate over women’s safety in Pakistan. While many social media users expressed grief and sympathy, others blamed the teenager for her death, posting comments accusing her of violating cultural and religious values.
One of her final videos, posted days before her death, showed her celebrating her 17th birthday as she blew out candles on a cake.
Investigators presented surveillance footage during the trial showing the suspect fleeing the scene with the victim’s mobile phone. Yousaf’s mother and paternal aunt reportedly witnessed the attack.
Although Hayat initially confessed to the crime, he later withdrew his statement during proceedings. Under Pakistan’s legal system, he still has the right to appeal the sentence in a higher court.
Women’s rights activists staged protests in Islamabad following the murder, describing the case as part of a wider pattern of violence against women in the country.
The case also revived memories of other high-profile attacks on women in Pakistan, including the 2016 murder of social media star Qandeel Baloch and the killing of Noor Mukadam in 2021 after she rejected a marriage proposal.
Rights groups say violence against women remains widespread in Pakistan, particularly in cases involving rejected advances or perceived dishonour.
TikTok has become increasingly popular in Pakistan, providing many young women with visibility, financial opportunities, and online audiences in a country where female participation in the formal economy remains low.
“This is justice not only for Sana, but for society as a whole,” Yousaf’s father said emotionally after the ruling.
